Five years without a visit from my children, but a change in my will brought them running.
I have two sons, three grandchildren, two daughters-in-law… and I live like an orphan. For years, I believed Id raised men who would one day be my support. Life showed me otherwise. Since my husband passed five years ago, neither of them has set foot in my house. Not a call, not a letter, not a visit. Then one day, I announced, Im leaving my flat to my niece. Like magic, they appeared.
I had two boys and thought myself luckypeople say sons stay closer to their mothers. I believed I wouldnt be alone in old age. My husband and I gave them love, education, helped them start their lives. While their father was alive, they visited now and then. But after we buried him, it was as if I didnt exist.
They live in the same city, forty minutes by bus. Both married with families of their own. I have two grandsons and a granddaughter Ive never met. A fall left me struggling to walk, but for them, theres never timealways busy, ignoring calls, promising to ring back but never doing it. Ive learned their promises mean nothing.
When my neighbours flooded my flat, I called the eldestno answer. The younger one swore hed come but never did. I just needed someone to paint over the stain on the ceiling. In the end, I hired a decorator. It wasnt the money that hurt, but realising two sons couldnt spare an hour for their mother.
When my fridge broke, I rang them again. All I wanted was someone to come with me to buy a new one, worried Id be swindled. Mum, dont stress, the salesmen will explain, they said. In the end, my brother and niece went with me.
Then came the pandemic. Suddenly, they remembered me. They started calling once a month: Dont leave the house, order groceries online, be careful. But I didnt know how. My niece showed metaught me to use apps, brought me medicine, stayed when I was ill. Every night she called, Auntie Margaret, you alright? We grew closer than Id ever been with my own sons.
I began spending holidays with my brother and his family. My nieces little girl calls me Nana. And I realised thenI may have children, but my niece became my family. She asks for nothing. Shes just there. She looks after me. She helps.
So I decidedif my sons forgot me, my home would go to the one who stood by me. I left it to her in my will. She doesnt even know. I just wanted to do whats fair. Repay the one who cared.
But someone mustve talked. That same day, my eldest rang. Voice tight, words sharp. Is it true youre giving the flat away? When I said yes, he shouted, Youre mad! How could you? Thats family property! I hung up.
That night, they knocked at my door. Both of them. With a cake. With the granddaughter Id never seen. All smiles, all charm. Then the real talk began: You cant do this, shell throw you out, were your sons, youre giving it to a stranger. I listened in silence. Then I said, Thank you for your concern. But my minds made up.
They left, slamming the door. Said if I signed the papers, Id get no more help and never see the grandkids again. But my dearsIve seen nothing from you for years except indifference. You came after five years only because you saw what youd lose. Not your mother. The flat.
I dont regret it. If my niece ever turns her back on me, so be it. But I dont believe she will. Shes kind, honest, true. And you? Now live with your consciencesif you still have them.
